Flashing red light and reboot

[MickieH]

Hi all,

I had my Z4 Tablet from O2 yesterday, and it seems to me like it might have a hardware fault perhaps?

When I first switched it on, it booted up normally so I went through the initial setup, but halfway through it froze for a couple of seconds, then the screen went off and I got a flashing red light. Seemed to flash 3 short, then on the fourth flash it stayed on for a couple of seconds, before going off and the thing rebooted.

It seemed to work ok after it rebooted, so I messed around with it for a few minutes, but it froze again, red flashing lights, and reboot. It seems to do this randomly. Sometimes it can be ok for a while, but then bang, off it goes again. I'm not doing anything heavy, just browsing internet every time it's happened.

I did a factory reset, didn't install anything other than updates, and it is still doing it.

Mine is the UK Z4 Tablet LTE version, the SGP771.

I'm still within my 14 day cooling off period, so I want to resolve this asap. If it's a hardware glitch, it's going back.

Any thoughts?

 

[DHGE]

could be a hardware glitch...

I see this (red LED) when I mess up with newer kernels - but then it is a bootloop and not intermittent.

What software version are you on?
Bootloader locked?
Branded firmware?
Tried an OTA Update?

 

[MickieH]

I see this (red LED) when I mess up with newer kernels - but then it is a bootloop and not intermittent.

What software version are you on?
Bootloader locked?
Branded firmware?
Tried an OTA Update?

It's brand new, and completely stock.
Locked bootloader
O2 branded latest firmware.

It did it when there was no sim in it, or memory card, literally as soon as I turned it on and tried going through the setup. Since then it's been random. I can sit and watch a video fine, then it'll do it again while I'm just browsing.

It doesn't seem to be getting hot, just a little warm. Quite surprising cos my Z5 can get really hot sometimes.

I was going to try reflashing it. I'll get the firmware from XperiFirm later and try that and see.

I have 30 days to return it for exchange for a brand new one, so can't mess about too much.

 

[DHGE]

I am sure "latest" has a number....

O2 branded latest firmware.

With 28.0.A.8.251 or newer you should be fine.

If you have this already I would swap the device with O2.

 

[MickieH]

With 28.0.A.8.251 or newer you should be fine.

If you have this already I would swap the device with O2.

Yes, that's the one I have lol (I just wasn't at home to check) and I think you're right. I'm going to speak to O2 and get it swapped I think.

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it :good:

 

[MickieH]

Quick update …

I downloaded the O2 branded 28.0.A.8.251 firmware from XperiFirm and flashed it with Flashtool, said yes to the FSC script, and it flashed without errors.

It didn't wipe userdata (due to the script I think) even though I selected full wipe options in Flashtool, but that's fine. Didn't have to go through the setup again.

I ran a stability test in Antutu so it got pretty warm, then I downloaded some random game and ran it, ran some other apps. The tablet did get pretty warm. CPU Z was showing some temps up to 85C.

So far it hasn't reset once. I thought it might when it got hot, but it didn't.
I did go through the diagnostics and everything checked out as working properly, all the sensors seemed fine, speakers, mic, etc.

I'm kinda hoping it was only a glitch in the software, but it hasn't filled me full of confidence, so I'll be watching it like a hawk over the next few days.

When I'm happy that it's ok, I'll probably flash the CE1 region unbranded firmware (like I do on my phones) because they always seem to get the updates first, and I've already noticed the .260 update has rolled there.

Well fingers crossed. I'll be back with any updates.

 

[MickieH]

Update . . .

. . . well, did it again, so factory reset, did it again, repaired it with Sony PC Companion . . .

. . . lasted 2 days, and it seemed as if it wasn't going to do it again, getting some good use out of it, then BYE!! Off it went again . . .

. . . Flashing red LED.

Rang O2 customer service and explained what it was doing, and they're doing a doorstep swap tomorrow for a brand new replacement so pretty happy with that.

In hindsight I should have rang them the first day because flashing red lights on a completely stock device is pretty much damn sure a hardware fault I reckon.

I'm quite surprised actually. This is one of many Sony devices I've owned. I started years ago when it was still Sony Ericsson, had a P900 which was way before it's time really, and had many more since, and this is the first one that's had a major fault.

Either way, should be solved tomorrow :fingers-crossed:

 

[DHGE]

could be the battery warning light...

wise decision to swap the device!

a faulty battery or wiring...